Freeze Tomatoes Like A Pro: 3 Methods For Long-Lasting Freshness
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Do you have any fresh tomatoes? Want to save the trouble now and store them for stews and sauces later? As long as you know how to use frozen tomatoes and follow a few instructions, the freezer holds the surprise key to the simplest long-term tomato preservation. And given the current price rise of tomatoes in India, freezing tomatoes for long-lasting freshness is a great idea. 

The easiest part about freezing tomatoes is how simple it is to do. It's a really simple process. Actually, you'll probably find yourself spending more time organising the freezer. Aware of how it's done yet? These are the simplest tomato freezing methods.

Shelf Life Of Tomatoes

Since tomatoes don't last forever in the freezer, labelling them is essential. To increase the fresh tomatoes' shelf life, take the air out of the bag. Make sure the freezer is set to a minimum of -18 degrees Celsius. Frozen tomatoes store well in your freezer for six to nine months when packaged correctly.

Tomatoes get freezer burn when their moisture content drops. Because of the oxygen in the bag or jar, water crystals form. Take your time to carefully eliminate as much air as you can before closing the bag. Your frozen tomatoes won't last as long if you don't. A vacuum sealer is your best friend if you want your tomatoes to stay fresher in the freezer for longer.

Tomato Freezing Tomatoes

Start with perfectly ripe tomatoes—not ones that are too ripe. After giving them a good rinse and drying, trim off any dark or damaged areas. By inserting a paring knife into the tomato's top and cutting in a circular motion around the core, you may remove the stem end like a divot. Now select the freezing method that most suits your needs below.

Stewed Tomatoes

  • Wash your tomatoes very well.
  • Cook chopped tomatoes in a saucepan of boiling water for 30 seconds. They are ready to cook when the skin starts to come away from the scoring marks.
  • For ten minutes, return the tomatoes that have been gently blanched to the boiling water.
  • Before putting your stewed tomatoes in a jar or freezer bag, let them cool fully.

Tomato Sauce 

  • Cook your tomatoes as indicated above.
  • After the stewed tomatoes cool, strain them through a food mill or mesh sieve to get rid of any seeds and leftover bits.
  • Pour thinned sauce into freezer-safe jars, allowing a minimum of 1-inch headspace at the top. 

Whole Tomatoes

  • Make sure your tomatoes are clean.
  • Remove the core and stem.
  • Place whole tomatoes on a baking sheet, wrap in plastic wrap, and freeze. This prevents the tomatoes in the freezer bag from sticking to one another. 
  • Spread out the tomatoes in a single layer on a marked freezer bag. 
  • Use a vacuum sealer to eliminate any remaining air, or put a straw inside the bag and suction out any remaining air before sealing.